Attitudes are changing

[Steve in Vermont]

I belong to another forum that most people would describe as liberal leaning. In the past I've spoken up for the 2nd Amendment (and cc) and received some negative feedback. Today, however, it was interesting to note how many people are mentioning buying a gun. One member spoke of buying ammo for an old Mauser he has in his closet. And not one critical comment on these posts. People are seeing what's happening in Britain and talking about the possibility of it happening here. They also are realizing the police may not be able to provide the level of protection needed. Peoples attitudes towards guns are changing. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

Yes and no. The people who were "on the fence" seem to be more interested in acquiring guns and learning to defend themselves, but the people who were vehemently opposed to guns have remained that way, and some have become even more extreme in their views, at least among the people that I know.

 

[beach elvis]

I once had a boss who was a very liberal, very urbane attorney.

We got on the subject of gun control and he said, "I don't think people should have guns but I'm glad YOU do because if I ever needed one I could say, "Hey beach elvis, gimme a gun." Needless to say, for me to GIVE him one would end up almost as bad as if some of the armed nuts showed up.

With no training (or even previous thought about it), he'd be a danger to both himself and everyone around him. I'd suspect we'd see some incidences of this if it ever got, "London-like" over here.
Lotsa new holes in some very expensive walls, combined with shocked and surprised facial expressions as they wonder why their ears are suddenly ringing so loudly.

 

[beach elvis]

Yes and no. The people who were "on the fence" seem to be more interested in acquiring guns and learning to defend themselves, but the people who were vehemently opposed to guns have remained that way, and some have become even more extreme in their views, at least among the people that I know.

Brings to mind a T-shirt I saw once, "So exactly how is YOUR failure to prepare supposed to be an emergency for ME?"

 

[Maximumbob54]

Issue of and amount of new CCW permits are still sky high if that says anything.

 

[redlevel]

I once had a boss who was a very liberal, very urbane attorney.

We got on the subject of gun control and he said, "I don't think people should have guns but I'm glad YOU do because if I ever needed one I could say, "Hey beach elvis, gimme a gun." Needless to say, for me to GIVE him one would end up almost as bad as if some of the armed nuts showed up.

With no training (or even previous thought about it), he'd be a danger to both himself and everyone around him. I'd suspect we'd see some incidences of this if it ever got, "London-like" over here.
Lotsa new holes in some very expensive walls, combined with shocked and surprised facial expressions as they wonder why their ears are suddenly ringing so loudly.

I don't necessarily agree with you. If you handed out semi-autos, especially glops, maybe. Trained officers are prone to shoot themselves in the butt with them. However, if you handed out a good double-action revolver, say a Model 10, and gave a little rudimentary instruction, say five minutes of dry fire and verbal instruction, I don't think so. I have been married 32 years. My wife doesn't like guns. She doesn't mind my use or ownership, and I haven't pushed her. Twice that I can remember I have talked her into shooting a handgun. Most recently was early this year. I had her take a pre-Model 10 we were shooting and shoot at a target from five or six yards. I did the five minutes of instruction. (I had done the same with a Model 36 maybe twenty years ago) "Just aim and pull the trigger. You don't have to worry about a safety or anything else. Just pull the trigger." She did remarkably well. Hit inside a 2" bull with 2 double action shots. I left her alone, but I believe she could pick up that Model 10 and acquit herself well in an emergency, at least at close range.

 

[27145]

If people want to carry a gun, all states should be shall issue. A concealed carry permit should be like a drivers' license accepted in all 50 states, just like a drivers license.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

I think that the economy is a big part of what's driving it; a lot of people have lost jobs and some have turned to crime to survive, prisons have been closed and inmates released early, and police are getting laid off like crazy. People who were indifferent to guns before are seeing these trends and realizing that they are more likely to need some means to protect themselves and their families. People I know who have always hated or feared guns claim that they are the reason for the problems we are now experiencing, and seem to be clinging more tightly to those beliefs (completely ignoring the fact that many other weapons could be used in the commission of crimes). It doesn't help that the media seems to sensationalize every crime that involves a gun, though I have recently noticed a few stories on people using guns to thwart crimes.
I think that the threat of additional regulations from Washington on purchasing guns is also driving some people to buy now out of fear that they won't be able to once new regulations are put into place.

 

[A10]

A couple interesting developments I've seen lately, mostly it's antigun women who are asking me more about firearms, and I currently work at a University (notoriously anti gun and anti free speech, if you are a constitutionalist). Folks are trying to get concealed weapons on the campus due to increasingly violent robberies. One poor girl was hit in the head with a hammer so someone could steal her purse.

 

[G.T. Smith]

If things don't start to change in the world (for the better), guns will surely become more desired than ball bats, knives, or even bows.
God bless America,
Gordon

 

[jag312]

If we have a major emergency (like what has happened in London), and if some anti-gun extremist neighbor had previously been shooting off his big mouth about how the people don't need guns because the police are there to protect us, and if that anti-gun extremist neighbor were to ask to borrow one of my guns to protect himself, his family, and his home in that major emergency, then I would give him two items; a piece of paper with the numbers 911 and an application to join the NRA.

 

[27145]

The way I see it all States shall be shall issue in regards to ccw. If riots are going on, the Governor of a State should declare Martial Law. Under Martial law, deadly physical force by civilians should be authorized to even protect property. IE if you are not in your home, you are up to no good. You are in your store, looters break a window to gain access, you should be allowed to use deadly force. This especially should incluse your home.

 

[jtpur]

I believe attitudes are chaning. While I had always supported the 2nd, as a cop I thought the only people who should carry guns were cops...but my attitude slowly changed once Florida passed CCW laws. Once it became clear to me that citizens who armed themselves posed no danger to me or my fellow officers, I not only spported carry laws, I actively promoted them......and still do. I see more and more people wanting the 2nd enhanced, they want to carry, they want to own and they want to be able to defend themselves. I wish Florida would drop its three day wait requirement. Someone asked me the other day how opening up gun sales would work and what kind of regulations should be mandated. I told him it would work fine and that gun sales should have the same regulations that automobile sales have.......he said there are no regulations for automobile sales.....i had to agree

 

[fivespeed302]

I used to live in Bibb County, Alabama. To get a concealed weapon permit, you had to apply at the Sheriff's Office. I met the Sheriff, shook his hand, he did a quick background check and I paid $20 or so and walked out with the permit. No classes and a 10 minute wait. I think classes are important, safety is never a bad idea, but getting the permit in one day was pretty darn nice.

 

[hittman77]

Peoples attitudes towards guns are changing. Has anyone else noticed this?

Not here in IL. Still the only State with NO CCW rights.

 

[Moonman]

The unrest in the world is spreading to many, many countries. The unrest in the Middle East is presently calling for new governments, riots in London, financial banking problems along with recessions in the world that are causing many Politicos to becoming very nervous and most probably, rightfully so.

People are reexamining some of their long held beliefs and those concerning firearms are just one of them.

 

[walnutred]

I'd bet that if pressed most of those whose attitude seems to be changing would say they want it to be easier for themselves to have firearms but are more than happy to have the Government place reasonable restriction on others.

 

[DeadAye]

I'd bet that if pressed most of those whose attitude seems to be changing would say they want it to be easier for themselves to have firearms but are more than happy to have the Government place reasonable restriction on others.

Yes indeedie....

Remember Carl Rowan?
Rabidly anti-gun government official, journalist and author who shot a kid for using his swimming pool.

Sure enough - Some people absolutely shouldn't have access to guns.

 

[off road]

I was in So. Calif. during the 'Rodney Riots'. About the first 5 minutes of that were about indignation at the trial verdict, and the next several days were only about looting and arson.

During that time, I got a lot of calls from folks wanting to borrow a firearm....and I told them all that if they had bothered to do some firearms training in the past, I would have been glad to lend them a gun.

 

[jimmyj]

In the 1964 riot i had a D/A revolver with 18 rounds of LRN ammo along with a Winchester Model 97 and four rounds of #00 Buckshot.

In the 1968 riots I was better armed because in the preceeding years I used "Going out" dollars to equip myself and family with personel arms/ammo.

My wife's country club friends (Left-Wingers) thought that they would come by our house and "Borrow" a firearm and ammo. I advised them "NO!" but they could stay at my house and be protected.

Riots of 1972 found many "Left Wingers" had "Converted" to "Right Wing Conservatives" and now had the means to protect their homes and family.

Happiness is a depenable weapon and lots of ammo and canned food.